This journey takes us to discover the footprint of the glorious days of Morocco in its great historic Imperial Cities: Rabat, Meknes, Fez, and Marrakesh. The geographic position of Morocco made it a focus of all the great powers that governed the Mediterranean. The Romans, Ancient Amazigh Empires, Ancient Egyptians, Arabs, and the French Colonial power all tried to seize this land. Except the Ancient Egyptians who had lost a battle against the Ancient Amazigh Empire, each has left their unique cultural, architectural, and historic touch on Morocco. Magnificent palaces, ornate Koranic schools, bustling marketplaces, flowery courtyards, royal boulevards, mighty fortifications, maze-like old towns—these are just a few of the many enchanting features of Moroccan inherited urban civilization. We will unveil all of them alongside some mystics of the cultural heritage of Moroccans during our Imperial Cities Tour.
Day 1: Arrival in Casablanca.
Our professional driver will pick you up from the airport/ train station/ bus station at an already appointed time. After checking-in our Hotel, we will proceed our journey to discover the industrial and economic capital or Morocco. Casablanca is the biggest city in the Kingdom. Our visits include The Hassan II Mosque. Opened in 1993, the Hassan II mosque is biggest mosque in Morocco and the second after Mecca. It is a true symbol of spirituality in Morocco and its traditional artisanship. Built on the ocean, it features a mighty retractable roof to let in sunlight and the sea breeze. This is one of the few mosques in Morocco where tourists are allowed to enter. A certified tourist guide will guide our visit to the mosque. Our next stop is Downtown Casablanca. It is designed and developed during the French Protectorate. It features many historic French avant-garde buildings. We will navigate in its busy wide streets and arrive at the monumental Arab League Park, Mohamed V Square, and the United Nations Palace. Our recommended lunch place is Rick’s Café and Restaurant. We may also stop for dinner or a drink in this vibrant Café. It also encloses a bar made famous by the characters Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in the classic film Casablanca. Our journey finishes when our professional driver drops us in our Hotel for overnight.
Day 2: From Casablanca to Rabat
Early in the morning after breakfast, we will drive to It is a sprawling modern city. Upon our arrival in Rabat, our car will be easier to drive in this city’s wide and modern streets to make the most of our time. Depending on how early we start, we can spend more time visiting certain sights than others. Our time journey will begin with a visit to the Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohamed V. A veritable complex of Moroccan royalty and history. They will give us a glimpse of Morocco’s past and bright future. In 1199, the Almowahad king Jacob al-Mansour constructed the Hassan Mosque. After a massive earthquake the Hassan Tower and its 200 persist. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the site is a symbol of royalty and power in Morocco for over 800 years. Our next site is the ornately decorated Mausoleum of Mohamed V. He is the grandfather of the present king and the founder of modern Morocco. We will drive to the Oudaya Kasbah. This fortified neighbourhood has sat perched over the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean and the invading canons coming from the Iberian Peninsula since its completion in 1269. Its maze-like small streets and ancient stone houses gives an atmosphere of the Mediterranean. The picturesque doors, views over the Atlantic Ocean and the sky-blue houses entrances the Oudaya Kasbah in a Mediterranean psychedelic vibe lost in the Atlantic shore. Its UNESCO status as a world heritage is not merely merited by its rich history, but also by its calm beauty. Lunch will be in a local restaurant with a menu stuffed with varieties from all over the world. Our next stop will be in Challah. It is an ancient Roman port city and a Moorish outpost witnessing the glorious days of both Empires. Later it became a fortified necropolis enclosing corsairs from all over the world. It was a fortified centre for a strong rebel navy once invaded Iceland for two years. Challah is now a destination for all those fascinated by the history of human kind in this region. Its winding, ruins, streets, unkempt assembly of houses, and gardens makes it a strong attraction for families of white storks. We will give the Royal Palace an opportunity to fascinate us with its luxurious vibes taking us into its mesmerising corridors. Leaving the Royal Palace, we will proceed to discover Rabat’s new town where Morocco meets the modern world. Once built by French architects during the protectorate (1912-1956), Rabat’s new town features many remarkable sights. A sleek brand-new tram system connects all of them. Rabat encloses the Central Bank of Morocco, the Postal Museum, and the Saint Peter Cathedral. Rabat’s old city lays not far from these sites. It was built over centuries on top of a Roman settlement. Its streets are the straightest and most orderly of any old city in Morocco. We will enjoy exploring the vibrant markets and the stately Street of Consuls. For flexibility purposes, we have the option of uncovering the mystical vibes of these sites with a local guide or by our own. Our time travel ends when we check-in our cosy hotel for an overnight and dinner.
Day 3: From Rabat to Meknes then Fez
Early in a blue-skied morning we will head to Fez spending the day in it is young sibling: Meknes. Our first stop will be at the ruined Roman city of Volubilis. French archaeologists began excavating Volubilis in the early 20th century. However, half of the immense city remains beneath centuries of topsoil. We will plunge into the famous wonders of the Basilica, the Triumph Arc, and many other palaces with their exquisite mosaics. We can chose to have the tour of Volubilis either with or without a local guide. Afterward, we will make a quick stop in the adjacent small town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun. Hovering atop a hill overlooking Volubilis, Moulay Idriss Zerhoun houses the mausoleum of Moulay Idriss I (745-791), the first Muslim king of Morocco. During our stop in Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, we will go to a panoramic viewpoint to get a glimpse on the fascinating natural scenery joint with the centuries old houses. Then, we will hit downtown for lunch. Our last stop will be in the great ancient capital of Morocco: Meknes. Smaller in comparison to the other Moroccan Imperial Cities, Meknes held the status of capital of Morocco for only 55 years during the reign of the famous Sultan Moulay Ismail (1634-1727). This sultan is recorded as one of the few who reigned over Morocco with an iron fist. His capital was the strongest walled city in his time. The walls are more than 1.5m thick to sustain the canons of the rebellious tribes and foreign powers trying to seize power in Morocco. Meknes’s old city offers a trove of sights for curious visitors: Moulay Ismail’s massive stables, the capacious granary, and the cavernous underground prison. Foreign captive corsairs built most of these sites. They were a part of the European raid attacking the sultan navy on the Mediterranean and the Atlantic during the 17th century. We will also visit Moulay Ismail’s mausoleum. It is one of the only mosques in Morocco open to tourists. The monumental Mansour Gate is also a part of our journey. A Portuguese architect designed it as a price for his freedom. He was arrested in the shores of Morocco on the Atlantic heading toward one of the Moroccan colonised coastal cities at that time. We will also visit the covered food market, and the El Hedim Square. At the end of our drive, we will take the highway back to Fez. We will drop you off at your hotel in the late afternoon/evening.
Day 4: Tour of Fez
After a night in one of the cosy Fez Riads, we will wake up in the morning ready to start a journey in uncovering the mystics that surround this saint city. It is the spiritual and intellectual capital of Morocco. It is the pumping heart of Moroccan civilization. As the biggest urban car-free zone in the world, the UNESCO considers it a world heritage. Its Ancient medina is a massive labyrinth of dusty alleys dating back to the 8th century. The sumptuous houses and palaces that cuddle inside its surrounding walls gives an unforgettable time journey that surpasses space. The hectic markets offers a variety of shopping options that once were carried across the desert from India. The medieval urban maze of its ancient medina offers a strong proof of what humanity can achieve collectively. We will discover the recently restored leather tanneries with is century old techniques of making leather. The Foundouk Nejjarine and wood working museum and the Dar el-Magana water clock are the sites that once made fez an industrial capital during its glory times. The hilltop Merinid Tombs gives a surreal panoramic view over the whole medina. The serene Bou Inania Koranic School and the Qaraouine University, the oldest university in the world, are the major schools that make Fez an intellectual capital alongside the modern Universities in the new city. The Moulay Idriss II Mausoleum is the pumping heart of Moroccan spirituality. As the centre of the Moroccan handicraft industry, Fez is also the perfect place to do some souvenir shopping. Scarves, leather goods, carpets, spices, metal goods, pottery, etc., Fez has it all as it did for over a millennia now. Our time journey finishes when we take the highway to get you back to Meknes before dinnertime. Overnight in our cosy Riad/Hotel.
Day 5: From Fez to Marrakesh via Beni Mellal
Early in the morning at an already appointed time, our exciting excursion to Marrakesh starts. Our professional driver will pick us up from our accommodation and leave Fez following the tracks of medieval camel caravans to the core of Morocco: Marrakesh. Our journey will take us atop the mesmerising Atlas Mountains. Our first break will be in Beni Mellal. This town is famous by the hospitality of its diverse people. A Jewish, Amazigh (Berber), and Arab populations lived alongside each other in full coexistence. Beni Mellal is one of the most beautiful crowns of the Atlas Mountains. Our next stop will be in Azrou. It is the ancient capital of the Amazigh people in the Middle Atlas region. Situated at 1,250m above sea level, Azrou finds itself nestled cosily in the surrounding hills of the Middle Atlas Mountains. It is famous for its cedar forests, butterflies, and Barbary apes. The rural vibe of this village makes a perfect opportunity to connect with nature. In Azrou, we will visit the old town with the possibility of taking a walk in the abundant nature. Upon our arrival in Marrakesh in the afternoon, we will check-in our Riad/Hotel. For flexibility purposes we will have time to wonder in this mystical city or take a as a preparation for tomorrow’s journey.
Day 6: Tour in Marrakesh
Today’s tour will expose the mystics of Marrakesh. Early in the morning after breakfast, we will start our whole day exploration of the legendary red City of Marrakesh. We will visit the old Medina. Comparing to Fez, it is smaller; yet not less vibrant. This old medina is a real escape from the fancy modern hotels, clubs, and restaurants that gild its new town. It main sites are the Mullah (Jewish neighbourhood), the ornate 19th century Bahia Palace, and the crumbling 16th century Badi Palace. The Koutoubia Mosque and the world famous Jemma el-Fna are a part of our visit to this mystical city. They are UNESCO wold heritage sites. The square of Jemma el-Fna is a space where time has truly stopped for centuries ago. Its mesmerising experience take us transcendentally with its fabled snake charmers, monkey tamers, acrobats, musicians, orange juice sellers, and story tellers. Our excursion also includes The Majorelle Gardens. Marrakesh hosted three environmental summits; more than any other city in the World. Even the environment treaty is named and signed in Marrakesh. This fact made the province of Marrakesh pay more attention to the municipal gardens of the city, keeping them green and glowing. Our excursion into Marrakesh’s new town will give us a chance to visit the lush Majorelle Gardens. The French artist Jacques Majorelle designs them in the 1920s and 1930s. Now, they feature a striking array of cactus species from all over the world in Art Deco inspired grounds. Famous for its iconic blue walls, the Majorelle Gardens also house an excellent museum devoted to Berber culture and history. Our tour finishes by checking-in our Riad/Hotel for Overnight and Dinner.
Day 7: Drop off
On the last day of our exciting tour in unveiling the northern mystics of the beautiful kingdom of Morocco, we will meet our professional driver at an already appointed time. He will drive you to your accommodation/ Airport anywhere in Rabat, Casablanca, or Marrakesh.